Electronic firearm and process for controlling an electronic firearm

ABSTRACT

Electronic firearm for firing electrically activated ammunition comprising a system control means for controlling and regulating firing, diagnostic functions, power consumption, and a process for operating the firearm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to firearms and more particularly to electronicfirearms for firing electrically activated ammunition. Specifically, thepresent invention relates to an electronic firearm for firingelectrically activated ammunition and a process for controlling anelectronic firearm.

While there are many prior references to electronic firearms in general,and more specifically to electronic firearms for firing electricallyactivated ammunition, these prior references have failed to provide acontrol system for coordinating and controlling the firearm's electroniccomponents and the functions they execute and regulate. Much like thereis a need for a brain to control the many components in a human body andcommunicate with and monitor those components through an electronicnetwork of nerves, there is a need for a system control or brain in anelectronic firearm to regulate the flow of electricity, control the manyelectronic components, and monitor the functions of each component andthe whole to assure a more reliable and accurate firearm.

Accordingly, a need remains for a more reliable and accurate electronicfirearm for firing electrically activated ammunition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an electronic firearm and a system forcontrolling the firearm which exhibits a reliability and level ofcontrol that has heretofore been unavailable.

Specifically, the present invention provides, in for an electronicfirearm for firing electrically activated ammunition. In a first exampleembodiment of an electronic firearm comprising a barrel attached to areceiver, a chamber formed in the barrel adjacent to the receiver, thereceiver being adapted to receive at least one round of electricallyfired ammunition, the barrel and receiver encased in a stock, a moveablebolt assembly positioned within the receiver, the bolt assembly beingadapted to convey a round of ammunition from the receiver into thechamber of the barrel, the bolt assembly comprising a bolt body, a bolthandle capable of moving the bolt assembly among open, closed, andclosed and locked positions, and an electrically conductive firing pin,a trigger assembly operatively connected to the bolt assembly, a voltagesupply means, and a safety mechanism having at least a “safe” and “fire”position, the improvement comprising:

A. A system control means receiving power from the voltage supply means,programmed to control firing, safety, power conservation, and diagnosticfunctions, the system control means comprising:

-   -   i. Voltage increasing means connected to transmit increased        voltage to the firing pin;    -   ii. Switching means for isolating the firing pin from the        voltage increasing means, and the voltage increasing means from        the voltage supply means, the switching means being activated        upon the occurrence of at least one condition selected from:        -   a. the absence of a round of ammunition within the chamber            of the barrel;        -   b. the safety being in the safe position;        -   c. the bolt being in the unlocked position;        -   d. the bolt being in the open position;        -   e. the passing of a predetermined period of inactivity of            the firearm; and        -   f. the failure or malfunction of the system control means or            any component connected thereto;    -   iii. Means for electronically detecting the presence of a round        of ammunition within the chamber of the barrel;    -   iv. Means for monitoring the capacity of the voltage supply        means; and    -   v. Electronic safety operatively connected to the safety        mechanism for preventing voltage from reaching the firing pin        when the safety is in the safe position and for preventing the        system control means from detecting a trigger pull when the        safety is in the safe position;

B. Electronic trigger switch operatively connected to the trigger andthe system control means, the electronic trigger switch adapted to senda signal to the system control means when the trigger is pulled;

C. Electrical isolation means insulating the body of the firing pin, thefiring pin having a forward conductive end and a rearward conductivearea, the forward conductive end positioned to transmit voltage to around of ammunition within the chamber of the barrel only when the boltassembly is in a closed and locked position, the rearward conductivearea positioned to receive voltage only when the bolt assembly is in theclosed and locked position; and

D. At least one indicator operatively connected to the system controlmeans.

The instant invention further provides a process for firing electricallyactivated ammunition from the an electronic firearm, such as the exampleof an electronic firearm described above, comprising:

A. Controlling and coordinating all firing, safety, power conservation,and diagnostic functions, and regulating the distribution of power tothe firing pin by:

-   -   i. Increasing the voltage from the voltage supply means, and        regulating the transmission of the increased voltage to the        firing pin;    -   ii. Conserving power by isolating the firing pin from the        voltage increasing means, and the voltage increasing means from        the voltage supply means, upon the occurrence of at least one        condition selected from:        -   a. the absence of a round of ammunition within the chamber            of the barrel;        -   b. the safety being in the safe position;        -   c. the bolt being in the unlocked position;        -   d. the bolt being in the open position;        -   e. the passing of a predetermined period of inactivity of            the firearm;        -   f. the failure or malfunction of the system control means or            any component connected thereto;    -   iii. Electronically detecting the presence of ammunition within        the chamber of the barrel;    -   iv. Monitoring the capacity of the voltage supply means; and    -   v. Preventing voltage from reaching the firing pin when the        safety is in the safe position and preventing the system control        from accepting the signal from the trigger switch generated by a        trigger pull when the safety is in the safe position;

B. Sending a signal to the system control means when the trigger ispulled; and

C. Indicating the status of the firearm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is aFIGS. 1 and 1A are side elevational viewviews of a firearm ofthe invention.

FIG. 2 is aFIGS. 2 and 2A are left rear elevational viewviews of afirearm of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is aFIGS. 3 and 3A are wiring diagramdiagrams of one embodimentof a firearm of the invention.

FIG. 4 is aFIGS. 4 and 4A are cross sectional viewviews in elevationshowing one embodiment of a bolt assembly and trigger assembly of afirearm of the present invention with the firing pin in its rearwardmostposition.

FIG. 5 is a fragmental side elevational view showing a portion of thebolt assembly as it is moved from the closed and locked position to theunlocked position.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional rear elevational view taken along line 6—6of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a firing pin electrical contactassembly, showing the contact housing in phantom.

FIG. 8 is aFIGS. 8 and 8A are cross sectional viewviews in elevationshowing the bolt assembly of FIG. 4 FIGS. 4 and 4Awith the firing pinbiased forward.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a firing pin and firing pinelectrical contact of the present invention

FIG. 10 is aFIGS. 10 and 10A are fragmental top plan viewviews of afirearm of the present invention with the barrel assembly removed.

FIG. 11 is aFIGS. 11 and 11A are fragmental exploded viewviews of afirearm of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be more fully understood by reference to thefigures.

The description below pertains to one embodiment of an operationalsequence that can be utilized by a system control means of a firearm ofthe present invention. Variations The present invention can be used witha variety of different types of firearms, and variations andmodifications of this operational sequence can be substituted withoutdeparting from the principles of the invention, as will be evident tothose skilled in the art.

The system control means can vary widely, and can be selected fromsoftware, firmware, microcode, microprocessor, microcontroller, discretedigital logic, discrete analog logic, and custom integrated logic, andthe like. The specific system control means selected can be programmedor otherwise directed to utilize an operational sequence of the presentinvention by various methods known in the computer arts. The systemcontrol means is preferably embodied on a circuit board, and the circuitboard can be of a modular type commonly used in personal computers. Todecrease the possibility of malfunction from environmental or otherexternal conditions, the circuit board preferably comprises a protectivesurface modification. The system control means can be within the firearmor external to it. However, it is preferably within the firearm, andpositioning within the stock of the firearm is especially preferred.

The operational sequence is based upon an embodiment of a firearm of thepresent invention in which the system control means is activated by theinsertion of a voltage supply means, such as a battery. Once activated,there are two conditions from which the system control means willproceed to analyze information and control the components of the system,depending on the circumstances, these being a cold start and a warmstart.

A cold start is defined as the initial activity of the system controlmeans upon being activated. The system control means is activated by theinstallation of a voltage supply means, preferably a commerciallyavailable 9 volt battery. A system authorization switch is providedwhich communicates with the system control to activate the firearm. In apreferred embodiment, the system authorization switch is key activatedto prevent unauthorized activation of the firearm.

According to the operational sequence discussed above, if the voltagesupply means, in this embodiment a battery, has been inserted into thefirearm, the system control will receive power and check to assure thebattery is viable. A viable battery is one that the system controldetermines exceeds a predetermined voltage level. In the embodimentshown, an indicator such as an LED is operatively connected to thesystem control means to convey information from the system control meansregarding the status of the firearm to the operator. Specifically, thesystem control means can cause the LED to be illuminated in one color tosignify that the system control means is operational and it can causethe LED to be illuminated in a different color to convey otherinformation. Alternately, the system control can be connected to severalLEDs or other visual indicators, or the indicator can consist of audiosignals. In the embodiment shown, if the system control detects a weakbattery, it causes the LED to intermittently flash an error code tosignal an error and alert the operator to the problem.

According to the present operational sequence, if the system control hasbeen activated and has determined that the battery is viable, it willthen check to determine whether the firearm's electronic safety switchis in the safe position. If the safety is not in the safe position, thesystem control will flash an error code and recheck to determine whetherthe battery is viable. While the system control is communicating anerror to the operator via the LED, it will not permit the firearm to befired. If the condition causing the system control to communicate theerror is not corrected within a predetermined period of time, the systemcontrol will place the firearm in a sleep mode. The sleep mode isdiscussed in detail below. If the system control determines that thebattery is viable and the safety is not in the safe position, it willcontinue to flash the error code on the LED until the safety is moved tothe safe position. After the safety has been placed in the safeposition, the system control will place the firearm in the sleep modeuntil the operator causes the system control to awaken the firearm. Theprocess of awakening the firearm from the sleep mode, called a warmstart, is accomplished by switching the safety from the safe position tothe fire position.

After determining that the battery is viable, the system control meanswill place the firearm in a sleep mode to conserve power. The firearmwill remain in the sleep mode until the actions of the firearm'soperator cause the system control to awaken the firearm from the sleepmode. The system control means can notify the operator that it hasplaced the firearm in the sleep mode by extinguishing the LED. When thefirearm is in the sleep mode, the system control isolates the firing pinfrom the voltage increasing means. In the sleep mode, power consumptionis significantly decreased, and the potential of the firearm beingaccidentally discharged or activated is significantly reduced becausethe firing pin is electrically isolated and cannot receive power, andthus cannot discharge any power to ammunition that may be present in thechamber of the barrel. In addition to isolating the firing pin from thevoltage increasing means when the firearm is placed in the sleep mode,the system control will also isolate the voltage increasing means fromthe battery and cause it to safely discharge any energy stored therein.

For example, if the firearm were loaded and dropped while in the sleepmode, the force of the drop would not cause the ammunition to beactivated because the firing pin would have been electrically isolatedby the system control means. Even if the force of the drop wassufficient to cause the trigger to close and activate the electronictrigger switch, the logic signal sent by the trigger switch to thesystem control would not cause the system control to direct power toflow from the voltage increasing means to the firing pin, and energystored in the voltage increasing means will have been eliminated andthus would be insufficient to activate the ammunition. Accordingly, thesleep mode function of the system control can help prevent accidentalactivation of ammunition that may be in the chamber of the firearm underthe above circumstances, and it provides a means of conserving theenergy of the battery effectively extending the battery life.Consequently the firearm is more likely to be capable of firing over alonger period of time.

When the firearm is in the sleep mode, the system control will initiatea warm start when the safety is switched from the safe to the fireposition. After the safety has been placed in the fire position, thesystem control determines whether the trigger has been pulled and heldwhile the safety was switched from the safe to the fire position. Thisfeature further limits the possibility of accidental firing and is notfound in many previous electronic firearms. If the trigger has beenpulled and held as the safety is being switched to the fire position,the system control will activate the error code, and will continue toflash the error code until the safety is switched back to the safeposition. After the safety has been switched to the safe position, thesystem control will return the firearm to the sleep mode until a warmstart is again initiated. The system control will not awaken the firearmuntil the safety is switched from the safe to the fire position and thesystem control does not detect the trigger being pulled during thetransition from safe to fire position.

According to this operational sequence, if the safety has been switchedfrom the safe to the fire position and the system control does notdetect trigger pull by sensing the condition and position of the switchin the trigger assembly, the system control will check to determine thevoltage level of the battery. If the system determines that the batteryvoltage level is below a first predetermined minimum level, an errorcode will be flashed to notify the operator that the battery should bereplaced. The system control will then compare the voltage level of thebattery to a second predetermined minimum, and if the voltage level isbelow the second predetermined minimum, the system control will shutdown the firearm. When the firearm is shut down, a new battery must beinserted before the system control can be reactivated. Once the batteryhas been installed, the firearm restarts in the cold start state aspreviously discussed.

If the system control determines that the voltage level is below thefirst predetermined minimum but exceeds the second predeterminedminimum, it will flash an error code while checking to determine whetherthe bolt assembly is in the closed and locked position. If the systemcontrol determines that the bolt assembly is not in the closed andlocked position, it will continue to check the voltage level of thebattery to determine if it exceeds the second minimum until the boltassembly is closed and locked. However, if the bolt assembly is notclosed and locked within a predetermined period of time, the systemcontrol will place the firearm in the sleep mode.

After the system control determines that the level of voltage from thebattery exceeds either predetermined minimum level and that the boltassembly is in the closed and locked position, it will proceed to checkfor the presence of a round of ammunition within the chamber of thebarrel. If no round of ammunition is detected within the chamber of thebarrel, the system control will recheck the safety to determine whetherit is in the fire position. If the safety is not in the fire position,the firearm will be placed in the sleep mode. If, however, the safety isin the fire position and no round is detected, the system will recheckthe battery voltage level to assure that the battery is viable. At thisstage of the sequence, if the system control determines that thebattery's voltage level is above the second minimum limit, the battery,bolt, and round present check process will continue for a predeterminedtime period, after which the firearm will be placed in sleep mode.

The system control, by communicating with the means for detecting around of ammunition within the chamber, can detect the presence of around in the chamber. In alternate embodiments, the system control canalso be adapted to test the detected round to determine if it is viable,as is more fully described below.

As the system control continues to follow this operational sequence, itwill supply the voltage increasing means with power from the battery ifit determines a round is present, or in alternate embodiments, if theround in the chamber is viable. When the system control means determinesthat the voltage increasing means is charged, it can notify the operatorthat the firearm is ready to be fired by illuminating the LED. At thispoint in the process, the power in the voltage increasing means will bereleased to the firing pin when the system control receives a logicsignal from the trigger switch when the trigger is pulled, thus firingthe electrically activated round of ammunition. If the trigger is notpulled within a predetermined period of time, the system will place thefirearm in the sleep mode and cause the voltage increasing means tosafely discharge the energy stored therein. The system control willnotify the operator of the change in the firearm's status through theLED. When the firearm is placed in the sleep mode with the safety in thefire position, the operator may reawaken the firearm from the sleep modeby cycling the safety switch from fire back to the safe position, andback again to the fire position.

According to this sequence, after the firearm has been fired, thevoltage increasing means and the LED will be shut down by the systemcontrol, which will then check to determine whether the safety is in thefire position. Subsequently, the system control will check the voltagelevel of the battery, whether the bolt assembly is closed and locked,and whether a round is present in the chamber. If the safety is in thefire position, the battery is viable, the bolt is closed and locked, anda viable round of ammunition is present in the chamber, the systemcontrol will return to the firing sequence detailed above.

By directly controlling the voltage increasing means and the means fordetecting the presence and viability of a round of ammunition within thechamber, the system control provides a means of increasing thereliability of an electronic firearm for firing electronically activatedammunition. The system control receives a logic signal when the triggeris pulled, but this signal is not transformed into a command to fire theweapon until the system control has communicated with the electronicsafety switch, the bolt assembly, and the means for detecting thepresence and viability of a round within the chamber. Only after thesystem control has determined that all conditions for which it has beenprogrammed to check have been satisfied will it allow the firearm to befired. If the preprogrammed conditions have all been met, upon thepulling of the trigger the system control will cause the voltageincreasing means to discharge its power to the electronic contact on thetrigger assembly, through the firing pin contact and the firing pin andto the ammunition.

FIGS. 1 through 11 11A show various aspects of possible exampleembodiments of a firearm of the present invention that can be adapted toutilize the operational sequence described above. Variations The presentinvention can be adapted for use with a variety of different types offirearms and variations and modifications of these embodiments can besubstituted without departing from the principles of the invention, aswill be evident to those skilled in the art.

In FIGS. 1 through 11 11A, an example embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated, in which the firearm has a barrel 10 which isattached to receiver 11, and a stock 12. The stock consists of a forearm12A at a forward portion thereof, a pistol grip 12B at a middle portion,and a butt 12C at a rearward portion thereof. Both the barrel andreceiver are encased in the forearm 12A of the stock 12. The barrel hasa chamber formed in its rear end where it is attached to the receiver.The chamber is connected and adapted to receive ammunition from thereceiver. A bolt assembly, generally indicated as 20, is movablypositioned within the receiver, behind and substantially aligned withthe barrel, and has a handle 21. The barrel 10, receiver 11, boltassembly 20, and trigger assembly 40 comprise the barrel assembly of thefirearm. A safety switch 14, 13 (FIGS. 1A, 2A, 3A, 10A and 11A) is shownbehind the bolt assembly, which is shown in FIGS. 1, 1A and 2, 2A in aclosed and locked position.

The firearm has a system control means 1, which in the embodiment shownis in the butt of the stock. The firearm further comprises a voltagesupply means 2, shown in the butt of the stock. The voltage supplymeans, which in the embodiment shown is a battery, provides power to andis operatively connected to the system control means. In the Figures,the firearm has an electronic safety 14, an LED indicator 3, and asystem authorization switch 4 for controlling access to the firearm. Theselection and positioning of the LED indicator can vary widely,according to the design parameters of the particular firearm. In theembodiment discussed above, at least one visual LED indicator ispositioned on the stock of the firearm directly behind the receiver.Similarly, the selection and positioning of the system authorizationswitch can vary widely, but in the embodiment of the firearm shown, thesystem authorization switch is key activated and located on the bottomportion of the pistol grip of the stock.

FIG. 3 is a wiring diagram showing the voltage supply means 2, systemcontrol 1, system authorization switch 4, LED indicator 3, andelectronic safety switch 14 as they are wired together. In addition,FIG. 3 shows a blind mate circuitry connection having one connector 50Amounted to the trigger assembly 40 and a reciprocal mating connector 50Bmounted into the forearm of the stock and attached to wires from thesystem control means. The reciprocal connector mounted in the stock ispositioned to mate with the other connector when the barrel assembly isinstalled in the firearm. When the reciprocal connector is mated withthe other connector, a connection is provided whereby the electronicsafety switch and the trigger assembly are connected to the systemcontrol means.

The system control means shown comprises voltage increasing means 5, anelectronic switching means 5A (FIG. 3A), and means for detecting thepresence of a round of ammunition 6 within the chamber. The embodimentof the voltage increasing means shown comprises a boost converter toincrease the voltage from the battery to the level necessary to initiatethe ammunition, for example, from 9 volts, if a battery of that voltageis used as the power source, to a voltage sufficient to initiate theelectrically primed ammunition. The voltage increasing means typicallycomprises inductors, diodes, capacitors and switches, the arrangement ofwhich is dependent on the specific boost converter used. Otherembodiments may use converters other than the boost topology. Variationsand modifications of these embodiments can be substituted withoutdeparting from the principles of the invention, as will be evident tothose skilled in the art.

The embodiment of the means for detecting the presence of a round withinthe chamber shown comprises a comparator circuit. Through the comparatorcircuit, the system control analyzes the impedance detected when ittransmits a small level of current through the firing pin. If a round ispresent within the chamber, the current will be transmitted from thefiring pin through the round of ammunition and into the barrel of thefirearm, which acts as a ground and completes the circuit. By comparingthe level of impedance detected with an established level of impedancethe system control can determine whether a round is present, and inalternate embodiments, can also determine whether the detected round isviable.

FIG. 11 is a fragmental exploded view of the firearm showing the barrelassembly removed from the stock 12, and FIG. 10 is a fragmental top planview of the firearm with the barrel assembly removed. By removing thebarrel assembly, a blind mate connection comprising two blind mateconnectors, 50A, and 50B, is broken, and is easily made when the barrelassembly is replaced in the stock.

In the Figures, the bolt assembly 20 has front 20A and rear 20B ends anda bolt head 22 comprising a bolt face 22A at the front end. The boltassembly can move longitudinally and rotationally within the receiver.More specifically, the bolt assembly can be moved among opened, closed,and closed and locked positions. When the bolt assembly is closed thebolt face is positioned within the rear of the chamber of the barrel. Atthe rear end 20B of the bolt assembly there is a handle 21 for movingthe bolt to its alternate open, closed, and closed and locked positions.A trigger assembly 40 located below the receiver and within the forearmof the stock has a trigger guard 41 which extends below and beyond theforearm, and within the trigger guard is a trigger 42. The triggerassembly, shown in FIGS. 4 and 11, is discussed in detail below.

The bolt assembly is positioned within the receiver behind andsubstantially aligned with the barrel. As shown in the Figures, the boltassembly includes a hollow bolt body 23 operatively connected at itsrear end to a hollow bolt plug 24 which is sealed at its rear end, and ahandle 21 on the rear of the bolt assembly which acts as a lever formoving the bolt assembly within the receiver. A movable firing pinassembly 25 is positioned within the bolt assembly and consists of afiring pin plunger 26, a firing pin plunger insulator 27, a firing pinplug 28, and the firing pin itself 29. The firing pin plunger isoperatively connected at its forward end to the firing pin plug, and thefiring pin plug is operatively connected at its forward end to thefiring pin within the bolt body. The firing pin plunger insulator ispositioned between the firing pin plunger and the firing pin plug. Thefiring pin plunger insulator can be a separate component attached to theforward end of the firing pin plunger, or it can comprise an insulatingtreatment to the forward end of the firing pin plunger.

A firing pin spring 30, positioned between the sealed rear end of thebolt plug and the firing pin plunger, biases the firing pin forward byacting on the firing pin plunger. A firing pin shoulder 31 within thefront end of the bolt body is positioned to restrict the forwardmovement of the firing pin, and the rearward movement of the firing pinis limited by the plunger contacting the rear of the bolt plug. FIG. 5shows the firing pin assembly in its rearwardmost position, while FIG. 9shows the firing pin assembly biased forward to contact a round ofammunition within the chamber of the barrel.

The firing pin plunger, firing pin plunger insulator, firing pin plug,and the firing pin are operatively connected to form the firing pinassembly. In alternate embodiments, the firing pin shoulder can beconnected to the firing pin and a part of the firing pin assembly, or itcan be positioned within the bolt body. The firing pin assembly ismoveable within the bolt assembly, but its movement is restricted.Specifically, the firing pin shoulder within the front end of the boltbody is positioned to restrict the forward movement of the firing pinassembly by limiting the forward movement of the firing pin, and therearward movement of the firing pin assembly is limited by the rear ofthe firing pin plunger contacting the rear of the bolt plug.

The movable firing pin assembly, biased forward by firing pin spring 30,ensures contact between the forward conductive tip of the firing pin andthe primer cap at the rear of a round of ammunition within the chamberwhen the bolt assembly is closed and locked by permitting the firing pinassembly to position itself to compensate for manufacturing variationsin ammunition. Rearward travel of the firing pin is limited to providesupport for the electric primer during firing.

In addition, the firing pin plug and the firing pin are adapted to beadjustably connected, such as by the engagement of threads 28A (FIGS. 4Aand 8A) about the firing pin plug 28, with a corresponding thread 28Bformed on the rearward area of the firing pin 29, thus permittingindividual adjustment of the firing pin in relation to the firing pinplug so that the forward tip of the firing pin is adjustable withrespect to the bolt face when the firing pin is biased into itsrearwardmost position, thus supporting the primer cap in the ammunitionduring firing and preventing the firing pin from becoming lodged withinthe bolt body when it is forced rearward by the ignition of a round ofammunition within the chamber, as shown in FIG. 4 FIGS. 4 and 4A.

In an alternate embodiment of the firing pin assembly not here shown,the firing pin plug is a threaded adjustment screw, and the bolt plughas a threaded aperture formed in its rear end adapted to receive theadjustment screw. The firing pin spring in the bolt plug biases thefiring pin assembly forward by acting on the bolt plug and the firingpin plunger. The adjustment screw contacts the rear of the firing pinplunger to restrict the rearward motion of the firing pin assembly, andcan be set so that the forward tip of the firing pin is adjustable withrespect to the bolt face when the firing pin is in its rearwardmostposition. As in the embodiment of the firing pin assembly shown in FIGS.4 through 8, the firing pin is biased forward to compensate fordimensional variations in ammunition to assure that the firing pin willbe positioned to contact a round of ammunition within the chamber.

Like the firing pin assembly, the bolt assembly is movably mountedwithin the receiver of the firearm, and its movement is also limited. Onthe forward end of the bolt assembly, the bolt head 22 is operativelyconnected to the front end of the bolt body and has lugs (not shown)positioned to engage slots (also not shown) formed in the front of thereceiver. The slots extend from the rear to the front of the receiver.The engagement between the lugs and the slots guides the bolt assembly,and defines its positions as opened, closed or closed and locked. Inaddition, when the bolt assembly is closed and locked, the engagementbetween the lugs and the slots prevents rearward motion of the lockedbolt assembly.

The forward motion of the bolt assembly is also restricted when it is inthe closed and locked position by a bolt plug detent 60 on the bottom ofthe bolt plug. The bolt plug detent is biased forward by a bolt plugdetent spring 61. The bolt plug detent further restricts the forwardmovement of the bolt assembly by contacting the trigger housing when thebolt assembly is closed, and restricts forward motion when the bolt islocked. The contact between the bolt plug detent and the trigger housingsecures the bolt assembly by restricting forward motion of the boltassembly when it is in the locked position, and the engagement betweenthe lugs and the slots further secures the bolt assembly by preventingrearward motion of the bolt assembly when it is locked.

In the embodiment of the bolt assembly shown in FIGS. 4 through 8, afiring pin contact assembly 37 consists of an electrical contact 38 andan insulating housing 39 fixed within the rear of the bolt assembly torotate and move with the bolt assembly. The firing pin contact ispositioned to connect the conductive area at the rear of the firing pin,or, in the alternate embodiment discussed above but not shown, toconnect the conductive area at the rear of the firing pin assembly, withan electrical contact on the trigger assembly. The circuit between thefiring pin contact and the electrical contact on the trigger assemblycan only be completed when the bolt assembly is closed and locked. Thefiring pin contact and the conductive area at the rear of the firing pinremain connected when the bolt is locked, even as the firing pin isbiased forward by the firing pin spring and rearward by a round ofammunition within the chamber of the barrel, thus allowing fordimensional variations in individual rounds of ammunition and ensuringelectrical contact between the firing pin and the firing pin contactdespite those variations. In addition, the movably mounted bolt assemblyensures that an electrical connection cannot be made between the firingpin and the trigger assembly electrical contact unless the bolt is inthe closed and locked position, thus augmenting the system control. Inan alternate embodiment of the invention, the contact point can be thefiring pin plug, which them transmits the current to the ammunition inthe chamber.

In FIGS. 4 through 8, the firing pin assembly is provided withelectrical isolation means to insulate the body of the firing pin, andin the alternate embodiment discussed above, to insulate the body of thefiring pin and the firing pin plug. FIG. 9 shows on embodiment of thefiring pin provided with the electrical isolation means. The electricalisolation means does not insulate the firing pin at a forward conductiveend 29A and rearward conductive area 29B. The forward conductive end ispositioned to transmit voltage to a round of ammunition within thechamber of the barrel only when the bolt assembly is in a closed andlocked position, and the rearward conductive area is positioned toreceive voltage only when the bolt assembly is in the closed and lockedposition. Within these parameters, the electrical isolation means canvary widely, and can comprise an electrically insulating sleeve aroundappropriate portions of the firing pin, a surface coating on the firingpin, or a surface modification of the firing pin. Coating materialswhich can be used for the firing pin include, for example, polymersappplied preformed or in situ. Amorphous diamond or ceramics can also beused for an insulating coating on the firing pin. Of the many knownceramics that can be used, those found to be particularly satisfactoryinclude alumina and magnesia stabilized zirconia. Surface modificationof the firing pin can also include, for example, ion implantation. Stillother coatings or treatments for the firing pin will be evident to thoseskilled in the art.

The trigger assembly comprises a trigger housing 43 which houses atrigger 42 operatively connected to a microswitch 44, and a triggerassembly contact 45. The trigger assembly contact is positioned tocontact the firing pin contact at the rear end of the bolt assembly,only when the bolt assembly is in the closed and locked position. Whenthe bolt assembly is in the closed and locked position, the triggerassembly contact and the firing pin contact are aligned to form a closedcircuit, however, the system control will only permit power to betransmitted from the voltage increasing means through the triggerassembly contact, the firing pin contact, the firing pin, and to a roundof ammunition as described in detail above.

The firearm of the present invention provides a desirable combination ofadvantages. Specifically, the firearm of the present invention is mademore reliable and accurate by the incorporation of a “brain,” or systemcontrol means, to process information received from the variouselectronic components of the firearm, and regulate and control thosecomponents accordingly, thereby controlling the operation of thefirearm. By providing a system control means or “brain” to monitor andcontrol all electronic communications and functions, the firearm of thepresent invention is able to incorporate an increased number ofelectronic components to provide a more reliable and accurate means offiring electrically activated ammunition.

The process of the present invention provides one possible frameworkwhereby the system control means can be programmed to function.Depending on the particular firearm, the framework or program can bemodified accordingly, and thus the system control means can be adaptedfor use in any electronic firearm, and can be further programmed toperform specific additional functions, as well as to perform thosefunctions according to different parameters. For example, the processcan include various time parameters whereby the system control meanswill place the firearm in the sleep mode if the firearm has beeninactive over a period of time.

In addition, the system control means can be programmed to communicatewith the sensing means to determine not only the presence of a round ofammunition within the chamber, but also whether that round is viable ornot. This can be accomplished, for example, by programming the systemcontrol to measure the impedance of the round within the chamber througha comparator circuit of the type known in the art. The system controlchecks for a specific range of acceptable impedance levels, dependent onthe ammunition suitable for use with that particular firearm.Specifically, an extremely low impedance would indicate a short, whilean open circuit would indicate the absence of a round. If the ammunitionfalls within the predetermined range of acceptable impedance levels, thesystem control will charge the voltage increasing means in anticipationof firing the round. The means for determining whether the detectedround is viable can comprise means for measurement of the DC resistanceof the round or measurement of the AC impedance of the round. If theround is not viable, the LED will not illuminate, and after apredetermined period of time, the system control will place the firearmin the sleep mode. By determining the viability of the round ofammunition present within the chamber, the system control conservesenergy, thereby increasing reliability, as well as providing a mechanismto screen out defective rounds of ammunition.

In addition to checking the battery to determine the amount of poweravailable, the system control means can be programmed to calculate theapproximate number of rounds that can be fired, given the voltage levelof the battery. This information can be communicated to the operator ofthe firearm, and the operator can act accordingly, deciding when tochange the battery based on the circumstances at that time.

The electronically controlled and operated component parts of thefirearm of the present invention, including include, for example, thebolt assembly, trigger assembly, voltage increasing means, electronicsafety, status indicator, blind mate circuitry connections, systemauthorization switch, and electronic switching means for isolating thefiring pin also provide desirable advantages.

The movable configuration of the bolt assembly provides an additionalsafety feature because the firing pin can only receive power, if thetrigger is pulled and the system control permits, if the bolt assemblyis in the closed and locked position. If the bolt assembly is not in theclosed and locked position, it will not be aligned with the contact onthe trigger assembly, and thus the firing pin will be isolated from thevoltage increasing means and battery.

The firing pin is movable within the bolt assembly to ensure contactbetween the firing pin and a round of ammunition within the chamber,given the reasonable tolerances and minute variations in the ammunition.Rearward movement of the firing pin is restricted so as to lend supportto the primer cap of a round of ammunition within the chamber.

The electronic switching means allows the system control to isolate thefiring pin and safely discharge the voltage increasing means through asecondary path upon detection of a malfunction, such as by dischargingthe voltage in the voltage increasing means to ground as is known in theart. The electronic switching means also permits the system control toisolate the firing pin if the firearm has been inactive for a period oftime, or the other conditions specified, including, the absence of around of ammunition within the chamber of the barrel; the firearm'ssafety being in the safe position; the bolt being in the unlockedposition; the bolt being in the open position; the turning off of thesystem authorization switch; the detection of a level of voltage fromthe voltage supply means falling below a predetermined level; thepassing of a predetermined period of inactivity of the firearm; and thefailure or malfunction of the system control means or any componentconnected thereto.

The blind mate circuitry connections allow the firearm to bedisassembled for cleaning or other purposes, without requiring theoperator to manually disconnect or reconnect any wires. The contacts arepositioned within each part of the firearm to be connected when thefirearm is assembled, and disconnected when the firearm is disassembled.For example, the barrel assembly can be removed from the firearm,cleaned, and reinserted. The electronic connections will beautomatically remade when the barrel assembly is reinserted. The blindmate circuitry, in addition to simplifying the cleaning process, alsoprovides increased reliability as a result of the fact that theelectronic connections between components will be automatically made,preventing faulty or incomplete communication between the components andthe system control means, and reducing the likelihood of short circuitsor other electronic malfunctions due to defective or incompleteconnections.

In addition to the above advantages, the present invention provides ameans of increasing the inherent accuracy of a firearm by reducing itslock time and eliminating the physical movement typically associatedwith a mechanical or percussion firing pin. The only physical movementduring firing of the present invention is associated with the pulling ofthe trigger. Accordingly, the firearm of the present invention providessignificantly reduced lock times coupled with the above describedfeatures.

1. In an electronic firearm for firing electrically activatedammunition, comprising a barrel attached to a receiver , a chamberformed in the barrel adjacent to the receiver, the receiver being andadapted to receive at least one round of electrically fired ammunition,the barrel and receiver encased in a stock, a moveable bolt assemblypositioned within the receiver, the bolt assembly being adapted toconvey a round of ammunition from the receiver into the chamber of thebarrel, the bolt assembly comprising a bolt body, a bolt handle capableof moving the bolt assembly among open, closed, and the closed andlocked positions, and an electrically conductive firing pin, a triggerassembly operatively connected to the bolt assembly , a voltage supplymeans, and a safety mechanism having at least a safe and fire position ,the improvement comprising: A. A system control means receiving powerfrom the voltage supply means, programmed to control firing, safety,power conservation, and diagnostic functions upon actuation of thetrigger assembly, the system control means comprising: i. Voltageincreasing means connected to transmit increased voltage to the firingpin; ii. Switching means for isolating the firing pin from the voltageincreasing means, and the voltage increasing means from the voltagesupply means, the switching means being activated upon the occurrence ofat least one condition selected from: a. the absence of a round ofammunition within the chamber of the barrel; b. the safety mechanismbeing in the a safe position; c. the bolt being in the unlockedposition; d. the bolt being in the open position; e. the passing of apredetermined period of inactivity of the firearm; and f.d. the failureor malfunction of the system control means or any component connectedthereto; iii. Means for electronically detecting the presence of a roundof ammunition within the chamber of the barrel; iv. Means for monitoringthe capacity of the voltage supply means; and v. Electronic safetyoperatively connected to the safety mechanism for preventing voltagefrom reaching the firing pin when the safety mechanism is in the safeposition and for preventing the system control means from detecting atrigger pull when the safety mechanism is in the safe position; B.Electronic trigger switch operatively connected to the trigger and thesystem control means, the electronic trigger switch adapted to send asignal to the system control means when the trigger is pulled; C.Electrical isolation means insulating the body of the firing pin, thefiring pin having a forward conductive end and a rearward conductivearea, the forward conductive end positioned to transmit voltage to around of ammunition within the chamber of the barrel only when the boltassembly is in a closed and locked position, the rearward conductivearea positioned to receive voltage only when the bolt assembly is in theclosed and locked position; and D. At least one indicator operativelyconnected to the system control means .
 2. A firearm of claim 1 whereinthe and further including a bolt assembly has having front and rear endsand which is movably positioned within the a receiver, positioned behindand substantially aligned with the barrel, the bolt assembly comprisinga hollow bolt body operatively connected at its rear end to a hollowbolt plug, a bolt handle on the rear of the bolt assembly, a movablefiring pin assembly within the bolt body having forward and rearwardends, and a firing pin spring to bias the firing pin assembly forward byacting between the bolt plug and the rear a rear end of the firing pinassembly .
 3. A firearm of claim 2 wherein the bolt plug is sealed atits rear end, and the firing pin assembly within the bolt body comprisesfurther comprising a firing pin plunger at its rearward end, the firingpin plunger positioned within the bolt plug and operatively connected toa firing pin plug, a firing pin plunger insulator between the firing pinplunger and the firing pin plug, and a firing pin at the forward end ofthe firing pin assembly, a with the firing pin spring positioned betweenthe sealed rear end of the bolt plug and the rearward rear end of thefiring pin plunger to bias the firing pin forward by acting on thefiring pin plunger, a firing pin shoulder within the front end of thebolt body positioned to restrict the forward movement of the firing pin,the rearward movement of the firing pin being limited by the plungercontacting the rear of the bolt plug, a bolt head operatively connectedto the front end of the bolt body having lugs positioned to engage slotsextending from the front of the receiver into the rear of the chamber ofthe barrel, a firing pin contact at the rear end of the bolt assemblypositioned to connect the rearward conductive area of the firing pinwith an electrical contact on a the trigger assembly when the boltassembly is in the closed and locked position, a bolt plug assemblycomprising the hollow bolt plug, a bolt plug detent on the bolt plug, abolt plug detent spring positioned between the bolt plug and the boltplug detent to bias the bolt plug detent forward, and a projection onthe bolt plug detent positioned to engage the trigger assembly when thebolt is closed.
 4. A firearm of claim 3 wherein the firing pin plug andthe firing pin are adapted to be adjustably connected to permitadjustment of the firing pin in relation to the firing pin plug so thatthe forward tip of the firing pin is adjustable with respect to the boltface when the firing pin is in its rearwardmost position.
 5. A firearmof claim 3 wherein the firing pin plug is a threaded firing pinadjustment screw adapted to fit into a threaded aperture in the rear endof the bolt plug, and the firing pin assembly comprises the firing pinadjustment screw at its rearward end, the screw operatively connected toa firing pin plunger , and wherein the firing pin at the forward end ofthe firing pin assembly plug is operatively connected to the firing pinplunger, and a with the firing pin plunger insulator between the firingpin plunger and the firing pin plunger plug, the firing pin assemblybeing is biased forward by the firing pin spring acting on the firingpin plunger and the rear of the bolt plug.
 6. A firearm of claim 3wherein the projection on the bolt plug detent, biased forward by thebolt plug detent spring, is positioned to contact a projection on therear end of the trigger assembly and wherein the bolt assembly, when inthe closed and locked position, is biased rearward by the interaction ofthe detent and the mating projection, securing the bolt assembly inposition with the help of the interaction of the lugs with the slots inthe receiver.
 7. A firearm of claim 1 wherein the system control meansis selected from at least one of the group consisting of software,firmware, microcode, microprocessor, microcontroller, discrete digitallogic, discrete analog logic, and custom integrated logic.
 8. A firearmof claim 1 wherein the system control means is a microcontroller.
 9. Afirearm of claim 1 wherein the system control means is positioned withinthe stock.
 10. A firearm of claim 1 wherein the system control means iisexternal from the firearm.
 11. A firearm of claim 1 wherein the systemcontrol means is a removable modular circuit board.
 12. A firearm ofclaim 11 wherein the circuit board comprises a protective surfacemodification.
 13. A firearm of claim 1 wherein the voltage increasingmeans is a boost converter comprising at least one inductor, diode,capacitor, and switch.
 14. A firearm of claim 1 wherein the and furthercomprising means for electronically detecting the presence of a round ofammunition within the chamber of the barrel comprises , including atleast two electrodes one electrode positioned to contact electricallyconductive portions of a round of ammunition within the chamber.
 15. Afirearm of claim 14 wherein said at least one electrode is comprises thefiring pin.
 16. A firearm of claim 14 wherein the means forelectronically detecting the presence of a round of ammunition withinthe chamber further comprises means for determining whether the detectedround is viable.
 17. A firearm of claim 16 wherein the means fordetermining whether the detected round is viable comprises means formeasurement of the DC resistance of the round.
 18. A firearm of claim 16wherein the means for determining whether the detected round is viablecomprises means for measurement of the AC impedance of the round.
 19. Afirearm of claim 1 wherein the and further including an electricalisolation means comprises comprising a modification of the a surface ofthe firing pin.
 20. A firearm of claim 16 19 wherein the surfacemodification comprises ion implantation.
 21. A firearm of claim 1 19wherein the electrical isolation means comprises an insulating coating.22. A firearm of claim 21 wherein the insulating coating comprisesamorphous diamond.
 23. A firearm of claim 21 wherein the insulatingcoating comprises ceramic.
 24. A firearm of claim 23 wherein the ceramicis selected from the group consisting of alumina and magnesia stabilizedzirconia.
 25. A firearm of claim 1 wherein the and further including anelectrical isolation means comprises comprising an insulating sleevesurrounding the firing pin.
 26. A firearm of claim 1 further comprisingblind mate circuitry connections operatively connecting and providingelectronic signals, commands, and power to all electronic componentsassociated with the receiver, chamber of the barrel, and stock of thefirearm.
 27. A firearm of claim 26 wherein the blind mate circuitryconnections are wired in place in the stock, and the barrel assembly ofthe firearm, so that the connections are broken and made when thefirearm is disassembled and reassembled, respectively.
 28. A firearm ofclaim 1 further comprising a system authorization switch.
 29. A firearmof claim 28 wherein the system authorization switch comprises a keyswitch to activate the system control means.
 30. A firearm of claim 1and wherein the system control means and electronic safety are adaptedto isolate the firing pin when the safety mechanism is in the safeposition by rejecting signals received from the trigger switch assembly(a) when the trigger assembly is pulled activated, and (b) when thetrigger assembly is pulled activated and held while the safety mechanismis switched from the safe position to the a fire position.
 31. A firearmof claim 1 wherein the system control means is adapted to cause energystored in the voltage increasing means to be diverted to a secondarydischarge path upon isolation of the firing pin.
 32. A firearm of claim1 wherein the system control means is adapted to monitor the level ofvoltage emanating from the voltage supply means.
 33. A firearm of claim32 wherein the system control means is adapted to cause the switchingmeans to isolate the firing pin upon the detection of power emanatingfrom the voltage supply means in excess of a predetermined level.
 34. Afirearm of claim 32 wherein the switching means is activated by thesystem control means to isolate the firing pin upon the detection ofvoltage emanating from the voltage supply means below a predeterminedlevel.
 35. A firearm of claim 1 wherein the system control means isadapted to monitor the level of voltage emanating from the voltageincreasing means.
 36. A firearm of claim 35 wherein the system controlmeans is adapted to cause the switching means to isolate the firing pinupon the detection of power emanating from the voltage increasing meansin excess of a predetermined level.
 37. A firearm of claim 35 whereinthe switching means is activated by the system control means to isolatethe firing pin upon the detection of voltage emanating from the voltageincreasing means below a predetermined level.
 38. In a process forfiring electrically activated ammunition from an electronic firearmcomprising a barrel attached to a receiver , a chamber formed in thebarrel adjacent to the receiver, the receiver being and adapted toreceive at least one round of electrically fired ammunition, the barreland receiver encased in a stock, a moveable bolt assembly positionedwithin the receiver, the bolt assembly being adapted to convey a roundof ammunition from the receiver into the chamber of the barrel, the boltassembly comprising a bolt body, a bolt handle capable of moving thebolt assembly among open, closed, and closed and locked positions, andan electrically conductive firing pin, a trigger assembly operativelyconnected to the bolt assembly , a voltage supply means for supplying avoltage to the firing pin, and a safety having at least a safe and afire position , the improvement comprising: A. Controlling andcoordinating all firing, safety, power conservation, and diagnosticfunctions, and regulating the distribution of power to the firing pinthrough a system control by; i. Increasing the voltage from the voltagesupply means, and regulating Regulating the transmission of theincreased voltage to the firing pin; ii. Conserving power by isolatingthe firing pin from the voltage increasing means, and the voltageincreasing means from the voltage supply means, upon the occurrence ofat least one condition selected from: a. the absence of a round ofammunition within the chamber of the barrel; b. the safety being in thea safe position; c. the bolt being in the unlocked position; d. the boltbeing in the open position; e. the passing of a predetermined period ofinactivity of the firearm; d. a system authorization switch being in anoff position; fe. the failure or malfunction of the system control meansor any component connected thereto; and iii. Electronically detectingthe presence of ammunition within the chamber of the barrel; iv.Monitoring the capacity of the voltage supply means; and v. Preventingvoltage from reaching the firing pin when the safety is in the safeposition and preventing the system control from accepting the a signalfrom the trigger switch assembly generated by a trigger pull acutationof the trigger assembly when the safety is in the safe position; B.Sending a signal to the system control means when the trigger is pulled;and C. Indicating the status of the firearm .
 39. A process of claim 38further comprising detecting the presence of a round of ammunitionwithin the chamber, and determining whether a detected round ofammunition within the chamber is viable.
 40. A process of claim 38further comprising visually indicating the status of the firearm. 41.The firearm of claim 1 and further including at least one indicatoroperatively connected to the system control means.
 42. The firearm ofclaim 1 and wherein the firing pin includes a forward conductive end fortransmitting voltage to a round of ammunition within the chamber, and arearward conductive area to receive voltage from the voltage increasingmeans.
 43. A process of claim 38 and further including electronicallydetecting the presence of a round of ammunition within the chamber ofthe barrel.
 44. A process of claim 38 and further including monitoringthe capacity of the voltage supply means.
 45. A process of claim 38 andfurther including preventing voltage from reaching the firing pin whenthe safety is in a safe position.
 46. An electronic firearm, comprising:a barrel; a chamber in which a round of electrically fired ammunition isreceived; a conductive firing pin for transmitting power to the round ofammunition; a voltage supply for supplying power for initiating firingof the round of ammunition; a system control powered by said voltagesupply and monitoring the firearm, for controlling the firing of theround of ammunition, said system control including a switching means forisolating said firing pin from receiving power supplied by said voltagesupply upon the occurrence of at least one of the following conditions:a. insufficient energy to initiate the firing of the round ofammunition; b. detection of voltage from said voltage supply below apredetermined level; c. detection of voltage from said voltage supplyabove a predetermined level; d. absence of a round of ammunition in saidchamber; e. lack of viability of the round of ammunition; f. inactivityof the firearm for a predetermined time; g. a system authorizationswitch being in an off position; and h. failure of the system control orany component connected thereto; a trigger assembly communicating withsaid system control and having a trigger, whereby as said trigger isactivated, a signal is sent to said system control to initiate firing ofthe round of ammunition; and said system control further including anelectronic safety operatively connected to a firearm safety mechanismand responsive to activation of said firearm safety mechanism forpreventing power from reaching said firing pin and preventing saidsystem control from detecting activation of said trigger.
 47. Theelectronic firearm of claim 46 and wherein said system control furthercomprises a voltage increasing means for increasing voltage receivedfrom said voltage supply to a voltage sufficient to initiate the firingof the round of ammunition.
 48. The electronic firearm of claim 47 andwherein said switching means isolates said voltage supply from saidvoltage increasing means.
 49. The electronic firearm of claim 47 andwherein said switching means isolated said voltage increasing means fromsaid firing pin.
 50. The electronic firearm of claim 46 and furthercomprising an indicator communicating with said system control forindicating the status of the firearm.
 51. The electronic firearm ofclaim 46 and further comprising a system authorization switchcommunicating with said system for controlling access to the firearm.52. The electronic firearm of claim 46 and further comprising aninsulating coating applied to said firing pin.
 53. The electronicfirearm of claim 46 and further comprising an insulating sleevepositioned about said firing pin.
 54. The electronic firearm of claim 46and wherein said system control and electronic safety are adapted toisolate said firing pin when said firearm safety mechanism is in a safeposition by rejecting signals received from said trigger (a) when saidtrigger is activated, and (b) when said trigger is activated and heldwhile said firearm safety mechanism is moved from a safe position to afire position.
 55. The electronic firearm of claim 46 and furthericluding means for electronically detecting the presence of a round ofammunition in said chamber.
 56. The electronic firearm of claim 46 andwherein said firearm safety mechanism is movable between a fire and asafe position for placing the firearm in a nonoperative condition uponmovement of said firearm safety mechanism to said safe position.
 57. Theelectronic firearm of claim 46 and wherein said system control includesprogramming to monitor and control the firearm including initiating thesleep mode for the firearm to place the firearm in a nonoperativecondition.
 58. The electronic firearm of claim 46 and wherein saidsystem control comprises at least one of the following: amicroprocessor, microcontroller, software, firmware, microcode, digitallogic, analog logic; and custom integrated logic.
 59. An electronicfirearm, comprising: a barrel; a chamber in which a round ofelectrically initiated ammunition is received; a firing pin; a triggerfor initiating firing of the round; a voltage supply for supplying powerto said firing pin for firing the round; a system control for monitoringthe firearm and controlling the power supplied to said firing pin inresponse to at least one condition selected from: a. insufficient energyto initiate the firing of the round of ammunition; b. detection ofvoltage from said voltage supply below a predetermined level; c.detection of voltage from said voltage supply above a predeterminedlevel; d. inactivity of the firearm for a predetermined time; e. asystem authorization switch being in an off position; and f. failure ofsaid system control or any component connected thereto; said systemcontrol including a switching means for isolating said firing pin fromsaid voltage supply to prevent the firing of the round of ammunition,and an electronic safety responsive to activation of a firearm safetyfor isolating said firing pin and preventing said system control fromreceiving a signal responsive to activation of said trigger.
 60. Theelectronic firearm of claim 59 and further including a voltageincreasing means connected to said voltage supply and said firing pinfor transmitting an increased voltage to said firing pin for firing theround of ammunition.
 61. The electronic firearm of claim 59 and furthercomprising at least one indicator communicating with said system controlmeans for indicating the status of the firearm.
 62. The electronicfirearm of claim 59 and wherein said firing pin comprises a forwardconductive end for transmitting voltage to a round of ammunition withinthe chamber, and a rearwrad conductive area to receive voltage from saidvoltage supply.
 63. The electronic firearm of claim 59 and wherein saidfiring pin further includes an insulating coating applied thereto. 64.The electronic firearm of claim 59 and further including an insulativesleeve positioned about said firing pin.
 65. The electronic firearm ofclaim 59 and further including a means for detecting the presence of around of ammunition in said chamber.
 66. The electronic firearm of claim59 and further comprising a system authorization switch communicatingwith said system control means for controlling access to the firearm.67. An electronic firearm, comprising: a barrel; a chamber in which around of electrically initiated ammunition is received; a firing pin; atrigger for initiating firing of the round; a voltage supply forsupplying power to said firing pin for firing the round; a systemcontrol for monitoring the firearm and controlling the power supplied tosaid firing pin in response to malfunction or failure of the system orany component connected thereto, said system control including aswitching means for isolating said firing pin from said voltage supplyto prevent the firing of the round of ammunition; and a means fordetecting the presence of a round of ammunition in the chamber.
 68. Amethod of firing a round of electrically-initiated ammunition from afirearm, comprising: receiving a round of ammunition within a chamber;sending a signal to a system control to initiate firing of the round ofammunition as a trigger is activated; supplying power from a voltagesupply for initiating firing of the round of ammunition; electronicallydetecting the round of ammunition within a chamber of the firearm;monitoring the firearm with the system control and controlling thefiring of the round of ammunition with the system control; isolating afiring pin of the firearm from receiving power supplied by the voltagesupply upon the detection of at least one of the following conditions bythe system control: a. insufficient energy to initiate the firing of theround of ammunition; b. detection of voltage from the voltage supplybelow a predetermined level; c. detection of voltage from the voltagesupply above a predetermined level; d. absence of a round of ammunitionin the chamber; e. inactivity of the firearm for a predetermined time;f. an authorization switch being in an off position; and g. failure ofthe system control or any component connected thereto; and transmittingpower to the round of ammunition through the firing pin.
 69. The methodof claim 68 and further comprising increasing the voltage from thevoltage supply to a level sufficient to initiate the firing of the roundof ammunition, in a voltage increasing means, and isolating the voltagesupply from the voltage increasing means.
 70. The method of claim 69 andfurther comprising isolating the voltage increasing means from thefiring pin.
 71. The method of claim 68 and further comprising detectingviability of the round of ammunition in said chamber.
 72. The method ofclaim 68 and further comprising initiating a sleep mode for the firearmto place the firearm in a nonoperative condition.